GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  Nearing the end of the 2024 season, the Davenport University women's volleyball team is set for its final homestand as the Panthers will play four consecutive home matches over the next two weekends. DU begins its homestretch with matches against No. 12 Grand Valley State on Friday (Nov. 1) at 6 p.m. and Wayne State on Saturday (Nov. 2) at p.m. at the DU Student Center.
 

Player Notes

Abby Alan

• Leads the squad in kills (258), kills per set (3.39) and points per set (3.86). Her 258 kills on the year rank ninth in the GLIAC.
• Last time out, the sophomore notched her sixth double-double of the season (13 kills and 13 digs), to guide the Panthers to a 3-0 victory over Roosevelt (Oct. 26).
• Ranks second on the squad in digs (162) and digs per set (2.13). 

Mehl Hansen

• Has recorded double-digit assists in all but one match this season (21 of 22). 
• Tallied four double-doubles on the season.
• In nine matches this season, the junior has eclipsed 30 assists. 
• Her 574 assists lead the team and rank seventh in the conference.

Scouting the Opponents 

#12 Grand Valley State (20-1, 9-1 GLIAC)

Series Record: GVSU leads 7-11

Last Meeting: 9/21/24 - Grand Valley State defeated Davenport 3-0 in Allendale, Mich.

About the Lakers

• Ranked No. 12 in the AVCA Division II national rankings. 
• In 2023, the Lakers went 27-5 overall and 16-2 in conference action, winning the regular season GLIAC Championship. GVSU then made the NCAA Tournament but fell in the second round to Missouri St. Louis in the Midwest Regional Semifinals. 
• Jordyn Gates is the top returner for the Lakers in 2024. In 2023, the Grand Rapids, Mich. native was a First Team All-American, named GLIAC Player of the Year and set a new NCAA single-season record for triple-doubles (15). Through eight games in 2024, Gates leads the squad in kills (213), assists (469) and points per set (3.56), while leading the nation in triple-doubles (10).
• Grand Valley ranks second in the nation in blocks per set (2.95), which also leads the conference. Leading the way for the Lakers in blocks per set is Paige Sanders (1.31), which ranks first in the GLIAC. 
• Have totaled six GLIAC Player of the Week honors; Brianna Stawski (four times), Julia Blaney and Paige Sanders. 
• Picked to finish second in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll, while receiving four first-place votes. 

Wayne State (10-10, 7-3 GLIAC)

Series Record: DU leads 8-6

Last Meeting: 9/20/24 - Wayne State defeated Davenport 3-0 in Detroit, Mich.

About the Warriors

• Finished the 2023 campaign with a 10-19 overall record and a 5-13 record in GLIAC action.
• The Warriors' 2024 squad is made up of 12 returners and four newcomers. Kayla Giroux is the top returner for WSU, off the heels of a First Team All-GLIAC season a year ago. Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection in 2023 Kaya Dulgar also returns to the team, leading the team in assists through 20 games (743), marking the third most in the GLIAC.
• Senior Molly Miller leads the Warriors in kills (280), ranking fifth in the conference.
• As a team, Wayne State is third in the GLIAC in total blocks (147) and hitting percentage (.246).
• Picked to finish sixth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Live Coverage

Friday, Nov. 1 vs. Grand Valley State (6 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

Saturday, Nov. 2 vs. Wayne State (5 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats